CHANGES IN THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY
CONCENTRATION IN
THE COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS CHAPTER OF
THE UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG 2006-2008

Dean Richard Lariviere of the College of Liberal Arts has filed with the secretary
of the Faculty Council the following changes in the requirements for the science,
technology, and society concentration in the College of Liberal Arts of the Undergraduate
Catalog, 2006-2008. The faculty of the school and the dean approved the
proposed changes on November 4, 2005. The dean submitted the changes to the secretary
on November 21, 2005. The secretary has classified this proposal as legislation
of exclusive application and primary interest to a single college or school.

The edited proposal was received from the Office of Official Publications on
April 10, 2006, and was sent to the Committee on Undergraduate Degree Program
Review from the Office of the General Faculty on April 11, 2006. The committee
forwarded the proposed changes to the Office of the General Faculty on May 1,
2006, recommending approval. The authority to grant final approval on behalf
of the General Faculty resides with the Faculty Council.

If no objection is filed with the Office of the General Faculty by the date specified
below, the legislation will be held to have been approved by the Faculty Council.
If objection is filed within the prescribed period, the legislation will be presented
to the Faculty Council at its next meeting. The objection, with reasons, must
be signed by a member of the Faculty Council.

To be counted, a protest must be received in the Office of the General Faculty
by noon on May 8, 2006.

Sue Alexander Greninger, Secretary
The Faculty Council

This legislation was posted on the Faculty Council Web site (http://www.utexas.edu/faculty/council/)
on May 1, 2006. Paper copies are available on request from the Office of
the General Faculty, WMB 2.102, F9500.

4756

CHANGES IN THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY CONCENTRATION IN
THE COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS CHAPTER OF
THE UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG 2006-2008

On page 271, under the heading DEGREES, in
the BACHELOR OF ARTS, PLAN I section
in the College of Liberal Arts chapter of the Undergraduate
Catalog, 2004-2006, make the following changes:

Science, Technology, and Society

The goal of this concentration is to prepare students to use emerging
technologies humanely and critically; to participate thoughtfully in public discourse about
new [technologies] scientific and technological innovation; and to
understand the consequences of public and private decisions about [technology]
scientific advancements and technologies. The concentration is designed
to allow students to gain experience [with the application of] in
analyzing historical, philosophical, rhetorical, economic, political, aesthetic,
and scientific practices[,] and methods of inquiry[,
and theories in technologically rich environments]. Students have the opportunity to
[practice the new literacies that are required to thrive in these
environments by exploring new ways of seeking, using, and representing
information]
explore social impacts of rapid scientific and technological change.
The program integrates approaches from the liberal arts, social sciences,
and humanities with new developments in science and technology. The
science, technology, and society concentration focuses on several key
areas, including nanotechnology, gaming, collaborative work and work-life,
education, health care, and computer-mediated communication.

The program of study is designed to complement the major by helping
the student to gain a richer and more profound understanding of the
dynamic relationships among science, technology, culture, and the individual.
The concentration is open to liberal arts majors and, with the approval
of their deans, to students in other colleges and schools.

The student must fulfill the following requirements.

1.

A departmental major or the equivalent.

2.

Eighteen semester hours of coursework, consisting of Science, Technology, and
Society [321] 319 and 331; [twelve] nine hours of related coursework; and a capstone
seminar, Science, Technology, and Society 360. A list of related courses that
will fulfill this requirement is available from the science, technology, and
society adviser; courses that are not on the list may be used with written consent
of the adviser.

RATIONALE:
To clarify and update the nature of the science, technology, and society (STS)
concentration to better reflect the content of the courses being offered. The
science, technology & society 319 course provides a broad overview of the
major themes of the program and is the most appropriate course to be considered
core curriculum. The science, technology & society 321 course does not provide
the same level of overview content and is more appropriately listed under related
coursework rather than a core requirement. The science, technology & society
331 course is an upper-division topics class; individual sections vary greatly
in terms of course content. It is recommended that all students earning the STS
concentration should be required to take at least one STS 331 course. Since we
are recommending both STS 319 and 331 be required, we have reduced the related
course work necessary to earn the concentration from twelve to nine hours.